CASSADAGA –The Cassadaga Cemetery dates back to 1817, and this marks the 206th year. Recently the annual meeting of the association was held with the officers and the trustees in the Jefferson Hall in the village.

The purpose of the meeting is to look at the finances of the association, the maintenance of the grounds, and to get the recent statistics of the past year.

The president of the association is Scott Dibble. Dibble welcomed all to the meeting and gave a prayer prior to the meeting. John Sipos was present at the meeting and serves as an advisor. Sipos serves as the village historian. Sipos served on the association board for nine years previously.

The fiscal year of the association is from May 1, 2022 until April 30, 2023. The cemetery is located at the former west boundary of the village on Maple Avenue. The boundary was once next to a village known as Burnhams. Burnhams had its own post office, once located in one of the buildings of Fredrickson Builders Supply. Burnhams was dissolved in December 1942 and became a part of the village of Cassadaga then. Cassadaga was formed in 1809, and incorporated in 1921, with the village boundary now being extended to Stockton Hill.

The Cassadaga Cemetery may be accessed from Maple Avenue, and is divided into five sections, marked, A, B, C, D, and E. Section E is the newest section farther back than the others.

The secretary treasurer is Sue Penhollow. Mrs. Penhollow presented to the group the annual financial report of the cemetery. Penhollow was thanked for her efforts and maintaining the records of the cemetery, and completing all necessary annual state reports. Dibble, Thomas MacKinder and Dan Thorp were thanked for their help with the cemetery. Cheryl MacKinder and Diane Blizzard were also thanked for their help with the cemetery. Paula Pattison has been spending many hours trimming at the cemetery. She said she trims until the battery on her trimmer is exhausted. Mrs. Pattison said she trimmed in November as well as this spring, and made less work this spring.

Jedidah Walter is the grounds keeper for the cemetery. His main task is mowing and trimming around the tombstones, and to keep the equipment serviced. Servicing th equipment is a continuous task, and maintaining the cemetery during the spring, summer and fall is a continuous effort.

When the cemetery lots were first sold with perpetual care, one never realized that inflation would cause the maintenance costs to increase. The cemetery association accepts donations to help maintain the cemetery. Donations may be sent to the Cassadaga Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 351, Cassadaga, NY 14718. All donations are appreciated.

The regulations of the cemetery are posted on a bulletin board in the back of section D. Graves are not to be outlined with bricks or stones, as this makes mowing difficult. All items placed in the cemetery must be of a permanent material. Summer items placed in the cemetery must be removed by Oct. 1. Water is available in several places in the cemetery.

The board will meet again on June 19 at 4 p.m. in the Jefferson Hall. Lot owners are welcome to attend.

The election of officers for 2023-2024 was held. Dibble will continue as the president during the next year. Mrs. Penhollow will continue as the secretary-treasurer. Trustees include Diane Blizzard, Cheryl MacKinder, Paula Pattison, Dan Thorp, and Thomas MacKinder. Sipos will continue to serve as an advisor. At all meetings, lot owners and visitors are welcome.